Mosaic receives LEED-ND silver certification

November 30, 2010

Washington, D.C. -- Columbia, S.C.-based Edens & Avant said Tuesday that its mixed-use development Mosaic, located in Washington, D.C., has achieved Silver Certification as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Neighborhood Development Plan.

One of 239 pilot projects selected by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2007, the 31-acre Mosaic is paving the way as a model for creating sustainable neighborhoods. The development will create a new center for the community in the heart of Fairfax County. An infill development on the site of a former multiplex theater, Mosaic is planned to include over 400,000 sq. ft. of retail; 1,000 residential units; 65,000 sq. ft. of office; two parks; two boutique hotels; and an eight-screen art-house cinema.

The first phase of the project is currently under construction and is scheduled to open fall 2012.

“Every detail of Mosaic has been carefully considered from master-planning through the recycling of construction materials,” said Bill Caldwell, managing director for Edens & Avant. “Our development goal of creating a unique community with an active street life that combines retail, entertainment, residential, office, hotel and parks space, will be realized through the application of LEED-ND principles."

Sustainable features include a 20,000-sq.-ft. green roof, electric car charging stations and advanced stormwater management systems. Alternative forms of transportation are encouraged throughout the plan -- the site is within walking distance to Metro, accommodates bicycle commuters, and the center will have a shuttle service to public transportation.

As a pilot project for LEED-ND, Mosaic’s development team was selected to participate in a smaller focus group of 60 projects to help create the new rating system, which was officially released in 2009. Designed by the U.S. Green Building Council, Congress for the New Urbanism, and Natural Resources Defense Council, the LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system evaluates the design and construction elements that bring buildings together into a neighborhood, and relates that neighborhood to its larger region and landscape, such as site selection and urban design.

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